BERLIN, June 7 (UPI) -- The best World Cup history, arguably the best player and the No. 1 ranking all belong to Brazil and are reasons Brazil is favored to win the 2006 World Cup.
Brazil has won five World Cup titles, including the 2002 event, and has finished second and third twice each. It is the only team to have qualified for all 18 tournaments. The team is deep in experience under coach Carlos Alberto Parreira, who is leading his fourth team into World Cup play.
In addition, the team is ranked No. 1 by FIFA. It would seem the 2006 title is Brazil's to lose.
The best player is Ronaldinho, an electric player on a team of many stars. There is also Ronaldo, who was so important in the 2002 victory.
It would seem the only problem Brazil might have would be Brazil. If Parreira keeps the team's attention on playing soccer, Brazil is in a class all others will strive for.
Croatia draws Brazil first and a strong showing could give Croatia momentum to move out of group play. It's a family affair for Croatia with brothers Niko (midfielder) and Robert (defender) Kovac playing for coach Zlatko Kranjcar, whose son Niko is a midfielder.
Japan was the first team to qualify for the 2006 World Cup after it dominated play in Asia behind midfielder Hidetoshi Nakata. But the World Cup is another level entirely. Japan has a Brazilian coach -- Zico -- but that's likely to be as close as the Japanese come to matching the best team in this group.
Australia is playing in its second World Cup; the other was in 1974, also in Germany. While soccer has been improving in Australia -- many players such as goaltender Mark Schwarzer and midfielder Tim Cahill play in prime English leagues -- it will be tough to advance from Group F play.
Australia and Japan have the first game in Group F round-robin play, meeting Monday in Berlin. The soccer world will need to wait until Tuesday to see Brazil open its World Cup defense against Croatia in Kaiserslautern, Germany.
